[pterodactilo]

I've read practically all the threads about these cans and some people say there are not big differences between both , only 840 scales better with amplification. Other people say 440 sounds like "cheap cans" compared to 840. I've even read that 440 are better than 840 when unamped, so I'm really confused. I don't live in USA and don't have access to big deals on 840. On Ebay 440 is half the price of 840 ($99 and $199 respectively). If 440 is at least 90% of what 840 offers, then I'll buy the 440 instead . What do you think? Is the 840 worth the extra $100 ?

 

[Landis]

The general consensus seems to be that the 440s are warmer and more fun, whereas the 840s are much more studio oriented being cold and detailed. Having only heard the 840s, I find them quite nice as an all-rounder, although it's not incredibly engaging or mind blowing, but a damn decent closed can. If you listen to jazz or classical music, the 840 would be the way to go.

Also, I didn't find too much improvement while running the 840s through an amp compared to a DAP.

 

[pterodactilo]

Hi. Thanks for your answer. I don't mind really how 440 and 840 perform with amplification as I will use them unamped. So 840 is better for classical music? I listen a lot to classical music, how is soundstage in both?. Also how is 440 compared to MS1? I'm aware that one is closed and MS1 is an open can, but still ... Both have similar price and they seem to be quite competent headphones for 100$.

 

[moodyrn]

I disagree. The 840s are anything but cold. IMO they are on the warmer side of neutral. Most of the impressions I've read from people who heard both says they both sound almost the same unamped. So if aren't using an amp it might be worth saving the money and going with the 440s.

 

[Catharsis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pterodactilo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've read practically all the threads about these cans and some people say there are not big differences between both , only 840 scales better with amplification. Other people say 440 sounds like "cheap cans" compared to 840. I've even read that 440 are better than 840 when unamped, so I'm really confused. I don't live in USA and don't have access to big deals on 840. On Ebay 440 is half the price of 840 ($99 and $199 respectively). If 440 is at least 90% of what 840 offers, then I'll buy the 440 instead . What do you think? Is the 840 worth the extra $100 ?

You and I must have read the exact same threads - I totally agree with you. I get the feeling that the SRH840 is a "warm" version of the SRH440 and is strictly a matter of personal preference as to whether that is "better" sound.

I have until Saturday to exchange my SRH440 for an SRH840 and I think the only thing that is nagging at me is the fact that the SRH840 is twice the price so it MUST BE BETTER. I believe this to be an incorrect perception.

The headroom graphs seem to indicate that the SRH840 is basically a bass-enhanced version of the SRH440. Frankly, I would call the SRH440 more neutral (which many posts seem to agree with), and the SRH840 warmer in the bass / mids.


However i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear some impressions from people who have heard them both, or own them both. Many thanks.

 

[HappyOne]

I listened to most of their line last week using my portable rig, (5th gen iPod & Total Airhead) and liked them all. I think the 840's sounded bigger and a bit more lively but all three Shure models that I listened to (240, 440 & 840) all had a similar sound signature. To my ears, the 440's were definitely worth the $20 more than the 240's but the 840's weren't worth double the price of the 440's. I bought the 440's and am very happy with them.

 

[Catharsis]

Maybe my wallet could afford to save that $100 bucks of "maybe there's a difference - hard to tell" indecision, and my head can afford to carry 50g less weight.

I think I'll stick with my SRH440 for now until I'm blown away by some real evidence that the SRH840 is indeed $100 better.

 

[Shuri]

Hi guys

Is it better to buy a sh440 + cheap amp (NuForce Icon Mobile) or sh440 unamped (Realtek codec) or sh840 unamped (Realtek codec)?

 

[sampson_smith]

The 440 unamped seems to be the best way to go for the cash conscious.

 

[slashing_air]

If money is not a problem, how is 840 performance compared to 440 unamped? In term of highs, mids, base and comfort. Let say the audio source is the most common one there is, an ipod or a laptop.

 

[Necrolic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pterodactilo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi. Thanks for your answer. I don't mind really how 440 and 840 perform with amplification as I will use them unamped. So 840 is better for classical music? I listen a lot to classical music, how is soundstage in both?. Also how is 440 compared to MS1? I'm aware that one is closed and MS1 is an open can, but still ... Both have similar price and they seem to be quite competent headphones for 100$.

For classical music the 840s will outperform the 440s. They are much more detailed and the sound is much more separated, allowing you to hear separate instruments much more clearly.

 

[sampson_smith]

The 840's have been said to have a more detailed top end and also better sound separation/increased headstage, overall. They seem remarkably open for closed cans such a low price-point. Generally an improvement over the 440's SQ in all areas, if you have a decent amp. My cheap PA2V2 works admirably.

 

[le masseur aveugle]

i had both headphones during 2 weeks, i can say they are different. Shure srh840 is great but can't manage all kind of music, not really good for very speed music but incredible for jazz, accoustic or classical ( quite good with electronic music also) where it is without doubt the better can for less than 300$ . Shure srh440 is good for every kind of music, quite better for rock and metal, but is never fantastic. But, they're in my opinion quite different. Shure srh840 is much more detailed, has better soundstage( actually very good for a close headphone). MS1 is better than the srh440.
Shure srh840 is also quite better with a good amp.

 

[aragornmustdie]

I've auditioned both extensively because I was considering the Shures as my next cans (I settled on a used HD600 in the end, though).

Here is my analysis:

Rig: Sony NW-HD3 Line Out

1. All of the Shures are good value for money, with SRH440 delivering the most bang.

2. Unamped, SRH440 sounds really similar to SRH840 in quality. Signature wise, 440 is brighter and livelier and honestly it appeals me more compared to the slower and more laid-back 840. SRH840, unamped, wins in more bass; but not impact. SRH440 has faster decay and the bass, while less than 840, will give a more toe-tapping urge.

SRH440 does NOT lack bass to me. It is neutral, it sounds just nice- real nice. I've heard ATH-M50 and I had ATH-ES7- to me, SRH440 outperforms both even with its lower price point. It produces more detail and neutrality than M50. And it flat-out butchers ES7 in those categories as well as soundstage- 440 is just much nicer to listen to, more natural. ES7 has more bass and an overall more forward, sharp sound signature that will appeal to some people.

3. Out of SPL Phonitor, SRH840 shows its true nature- it retains as much speed as SRH440, with a better bass detail and decay, and a ton more musical. The midrange is very seductive even when compared to SRH440 out of the same amp. Yes, amping the SRH440 doesn't yield as much improvement.

All and all though, I am amazed with what 440 is capable of and I will always recommend them to anyone looking for cans at that price point (below 200 SGD/ 130 USD). At 170 SGD they flat out kill ATH M50 and ES7 (both 200 SGD).

Oh, and keep in mind that I listened to 80% electric guitar based rock and blues. Those really rock with SRH440. When I played tracks such as slow jazz and vocal, unamped SRH840 did do it better than 440- this may weigh against my argument that SRH440 is preferable to SRH840 unamped.

 

[Catharsis]

One of my other hang-ups involve the amount of bass that each of the SRH440 and SRH840 posess. I listen to alot of fast elctronica, and as you can see in my sig, I own the DT880 and the SA5000 - known to have quick tight bass.

The amount of bass on the SRH440 is perfectly adequate for me, and I'm afraid that if I upgrade to the SRH840 I will be overwhlemed by bass as the headroom graphs show (a big hump in the midbass on the SRH840).

I want neutral as opposed to warm, and I'm thinking that the SRH440 is the way to go on this one.